Back-to-back OVC champs add depth

Kevin McMillan, the third-year head women’s basketball coach at UTM announced Katie Schubert and Sydney Vanlandingham signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Skyhawks during the 2012-13 season.

Schubert is a 5-11, guard from Springboro, Ohio, while Vanlandingham is a 6-0, forward from Hermitage.

Schubert prepped at Springboro High School where she led her team to a 22-2 won-loss record this past season. She averaged. 6.1 points, 4.0 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game. She shot 42 percent from the field, 27 percent from 3-point range and 79.2 percent from the free throw line.

“Katie has played out of position since her freshman year playing point; her natural position is a two (2) or a three (3), but she is a very good point guard with a 4 to 1 assist to turnover ratio,” McMillan said.

“She is another versatile wing player who we will call on to play multiple positions during her career. She is an unbelievable teammate who puts the team in front of herself and that is just the type of young lady we want here.”

Schubert was a first team Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) All-Division South selection this past season. She was a second team GWOC All-Division South as a junior. She led Springboro to two straight GWOC South Division championships.

Vanlandingham prepped at Wilson Central High School. She was on recruiting guru Rick Bolus’ Tennessee Top Rising Prospects list heading into her senior year. Her team made a state tournament appearance in 2011, and she was named an All-District 9-AAA selection her senior year.

Vanlandingham had one of her biggest games in high school this past season during a 68-59 victory over district rival, Smyrna. She scored 34 points in the victory.

“Sydney gives us a versatile wing player who has played from shooting guard to post in high school,” McMillan said. “She has tremendous range from 3-point land and can score around the basket. Her size and ranginess should help us on the boards. Her coaches think she could be an absolute steal and we are counting on her to be just that.”

UT Martin signed six players, Cortrice Golden, Chelsey Hall, Jordan Johnson, Briana McDonald, Brianne Taylor and Ashley Bassett-Smith, during the early signing period.

“With the six early signees we believe this is the strongest class we have had at UT Martin,” McMillan said. “These incoming players coupled with the nucleus we have has a chance to propel us to new heights. We hope they are getting ready to do that.”